On the source-available piece:

I'm not saying I'm for those over open source licenses in general, but Prusa brought up some fair questions when discussing the OCL. Essentially: define "personal use." Have I violated a non-commercial license if I print this keyboard and then use it to build someone a website? Does CC-NC mean a Prusacaster -- or any guitar knob with such a license for that matter -- is strictly barred from being taken on tour? Or used to record albums that are then sold? (And I say "guitar" knob, but I'm choosing an example a little consciously that could exist in any variety of controls, instrument and otherwise.)

Where are the lines of that when it's physical things? How far downstream does that go if it isn't CC-NC-SA in particular?

I'm not really sure that Creative Commons had the idea of physical production in mind, given that it dates back to a time when we were more broadly talking about digital piracy, and I honestly haven't kept up with its evolution much in more recent years. But maybe it just doesn't make the same sense for designs of physical things, for comparable reasons to why it wouldn't make sense for code -- and, conversely, open source projects that opt to use CC licenses for assets.

(None of this would stop me from attempting to build/mod one for fun, mind you. It just raises what a more averse person might call risks, and what I will at least call curiosities.)

A Keychron has always been a great introduction for friends that want a good home desk setup without too much fuss.

I have stuck with the System76 Launch keyboard but I basically always consider Keychron first when looking.

Wooting has done this already for many years: https://github.com/WootingKb/wooting-design

The Keychron K4/related (K4 HE here) compact 96% layout is definitely my favorite keyboard layout. Just a solid brick of keys.

I love the design for the ergonomic mouse. Are there any plans for split keyboard or something Corne style?

Keychron just open-sourced their design files, which I didn’t expect.

I’m a happy user of their keyboards.

On the source-available piece:

Where are the lines of that when it's physical things? How far downstream does that go if it isn't CC-NC-SA in particular?

(None of this would stop me from attempting to build/mod one for fun, mind you. It just raises what a more averse person might call risks, and what I will at least call curiosities.)

A Keychron has always been a great introduction for friends that want a good home desk setup without too much fuss.

I have stuck with the System76 Launch keyboard but I basically always consider Keychron first when looking.

Wooting has done this already for many years: https://github.com/WootingKb/wooting-design

The Keychron K4/related (K4 HE here) compact 96% layout is definitely my favorite keyboard layout. Just a solid brick of keys.

I love the design for the ergonomic mouse. Are there any plans for split keyboard or something Corne style?

Keychron just open-sourced their design files, which I didn’t expect.

I’m a happy user of their keyboards.

Hah, I just bought the Q6. Seeing they released their design spec makes me much happier with the purchase!

Love my Keychron Q1 Max. Awesome to see them open source their design files.

I have an IBM Model M, but after prolonged sessions of coding, my finger joints are aching. Are these Keychron keyboard have better switches or what are the experience using these mechanical ones?

The only problems I have with the Q6 Max are:

- It's way, way too heavy. Heavier than my Northgate Omnikey Ultra. Like it's more adept as an improvised weapon as much as any keyboard ever was.

- Didn't come with all black enter and escape caps (they were red orange), requiring purchasing an expensive complete replacement set.

Minor areas for improvement:

~ Battery life could be better.

~ Charging takes a long time and I'm unsure if there's a charge finished indicator.

~ Would be nice to have an offline flash update & macro programmer to not depend on cloud-based software that will eventually evaporate like everything else.

I do like:

+ Replaceability of switches as I've tried a bunch, settling on Kailh Box White V2.

+ RGB effects can be turned off completely or show a solid color at low brightness.

+ Native USB proprietary wireless dongle, BT with 3 profiles, or wired.

+ Wired or wireless connection while charging.

+ PC vs. Mac layout as a physical switch.

Oh, does this involve their questionable kickstarter units with the cheap knockoff keys they refused to warranty or support, but were known faulty, and they swiftly replaced in store in the first 6 months? The ones that are pin incompatible with any other standard keys so you cant replace them? Yknow, the ones that mean I will never buy or recommend a keychron kb again?

Not a lawyer, but as I understand it the license is a matter of copyright, and the copyright only applies to the design files. So as long as you're making that keyboard for yourself then you should be good to do anything you want with the keyboard, because it is no longer using the license at that point.

Now, what is interesting is if someone were to blatantly violate the license and start manufacturing commercial keyboards. I believe their only recourse would be to revoke their license of the design files, and then it would be copyright infringement. The thing is, I don't know how copyright law would handle any damages.

I don't know if making a physical product could be a violation of copyright, regardless of if you had a license to use the design in the first place. I could definitely imagine a company trying to enforce this, and a judge throwing it out because it should have been handled with patents.

Again, not a lawyer, just speculating on a forum.

Hasn’t Creative Commons disavowed or at least really downplayed the NC license for exactly these reasons? There are so many ambiguities and headaches involved that the only advice I’ve ever seen is not to use it.

I'd consider another Keychron (my first mechanical since a couple of AT and PS/2 Model M and variant devices I had years and years ago) and I like some stuff about it and definitely like the price, but would look for a model with a few differences next time and probably skip Keychron if I couldn't get all of these fixed in one of their boards:

1 - Longer battery life (I have a bluetooth + plug-in model). The battery life is crazy-low, even when not in use and the lights are turned off. I keep it plugged in all the time, as a result. I don't really get why it can't last, idle, about as long as a game controller does (many weeks! And those don't have much space for batteries).

2 - No light pattern button. That thing exists only to accidentally hit and switch it away from "gently and evenly lit" which is one of the very-few non-insane patterns available. Brush it by accident, there goes a minute or so of your time getting it back to something that's not trying to look like a disco ball. And it's right on the corner, so you will hit it by accident when moving the keyboard around or reaching for something just past it. Easily my least-favorite thing about the board, despite how bad the next item is.

3 - Mine has a kind of tray-design around the edge, resulting in about a 1/8" lip, that looks very cheap to assemble (so that's nice, lower price) but means it collects EVERYTHING out of the air and is a pain in the ass to clean. It also makes it look kinda like someone's 3D printed hobby project. Like it's an ugly keyboard, both because of the design and because it's visibly collecting dust and hair just a few days after its last keys-removed full cleaning.

Why do you like rhe 96% layout? I prefer the full space, recently upgraded to a Q6 Ultra, I’m really happy I can get a wireless version of most of their models these days.

Second this. I was skeptical because I thought I was attached to the "heft" of a full layout, but the 96% is the best of both worlds.

Not open source or open hardware, which they are pretty clear about.

> This project is source-available. Personal and educational use is allowed, and commercial use is allowed for compatible accessories. You may not copy and sell Keychron keyboards or mice [...].

Second this. I was skeptical because I thought I was attached to the "heft" of a full layout, but the 96% is the best of both worlds.

Love my Keychron Q1 Max. Awesome to see them open source their design files.

I'd love to see more info on this

Again, not a lawyer, just speculating on a forum.

> Not a lawyer, but as I understand it the license is a matter of copyright, and the copyright only applies to the design files. So as long as you're making that keyboard for yourself then you should be good to do anything you want with the keyboard, because it is no longer using the license at that point.

What if I take the design, print it, include the thing in a staged photo, and sell prints of the photo?

What if I skip the printing and use the design files as a basis for a rendered photo or animation?

What if I print the design, then use a 3D scanner to recreate a file from the physical artifact?

You can remap/disable all light shortcuts using web app https://launcher.keychron.com/#/keymap

I have a K2, and you can lock the lights with some key combination I don't remember and am too lazy to look up.

Why do you like rhe 96% layout? I prefer the full space, recently upgraded to a Q6 Ultra, I’m really happy I can get a wireless version of most of their models these days.

Wider keyboards (with the space for arrow keys and number keys to the right) put extra strain on your right shoulder when you use the mouse in your right hand.

I've been using a narrow keyboard and ergonomic mouse for 2 weeks, and my shoulder pain is starting to go away.

I put a number pad on the left and it's much easier to key in numbers with my left hand instead of using my mouse with my left hand.

Hah, I just bought the Q6. Seeing they released their design spec makes me much happier with the purchase!

I bought one too - most heavy and heavy duty keyboard I have ever owned.

I wanted to use it but it has one fatal flaw - the backlighting is unusable.

The keys it comes with are decent, but opaque, so the backlight doesn't actually illuminate the keys. And if you get shine-through keycaps, the LEDs are mounted below the center of the key instead of above, and you don't get good illumination.

sigh.

I used to use topre realforce rgb, then tried keychron, now use steelseries apex pro exclusively.

if they could fix it, giving me illuminated shine-through keys, I would go back to stay.

I have an IBM Model M, but after prolonged sessions of coding, my finger joints are aching. Are these Keychron keyboard have better switches or what are the experience using these mechanical ones?

I'd love to see more info on this

You can remap/disable all light shortcuts using web app https://launcher.keychron.com/#/keymap

I have a K2, and you can lock the lights with some key combination I don't remember and am too lazy to look up.

The only problems I have with the Q6 Max are:

- It's way, way too heavy. Heavier than my Northgate Omnikey Ultra. Like it's more adept as an improvised weapon as much as any keyboard ever was.

- Didn't come with all black enter and escape caps (they were red orange), requiring purchasing an expensive complete replacement set.

Minor areas for improvement:

~ Battery life could be better.

~ Charging takes a long time and I'm unsure if there's a charge finished indicator.

~ Would be nice to have an offline flash update & macro programmer to not depend on cloud-based software that will eventually evaporate like everything else.

I do like:

+ Replaceability of switches as I've tried a bunch, settling on Kailh Box White V2.

+ RGB effects can be turned off completely or show a solid color at low brightness.

+ Native USB proprietary wireless dongle, BT with 3 profiles, or wired.

+ Wired or wireless connection while charging.

+ PC vs. Mac layout as a physical switch.

Wider keyboards (with the space for arrow keys and number keys to the right) put extra strain on your right shoulder when you use the mouse in your right hand.

I've been using a narrow keyboard and ergonomic mouse for 2 weeks, and my shoulder pain is starting to go away.

I put a number pad on the left and it's much easier to key in numbers with my left hand instead of using my mouse with my left hand.

I bought one too - most heavy and heavy duty keyboard I have ever owned.

I wanted to use it but it has one fatal flaw - the backlighting is unusable.

sigh.

I used to use topre realforce rgb, then tried keychron, now use steelseries apex pro exclusively.

if they could fix it, giving me illuminated shine-through keys, I would go back to stay.

Some would call buckling spring style (which inm keyboard use) surperiour to all the mx style switches. It is definitly on the more tactile end, so having aches doesnt surpise me. The variety in MX switches is bonkers. A well known switch collector called Theramingoat has over 4000 different ones. So if you get a hotswap board (keychron is not a bad place to start, but you can find better value-board for the same money nowadays), you can definitely find a switch of your liking. Check out milktooth, you can get a sample pack of different switches to try. And return the ones you dont like.

There is (deliberately) not much consistency or uniformity on the switches in mechanical because keyboard nerds are such a picky bunch. I got the Keychron Q11 specifically because the switches could be changed out. I replaced the Brown switches it came with with some "Zilent V2" switches with a much higher activation force.

It can be a dangerous rabbit hole if you let it, but if you're just looking for an approximation of the Model M but that requires less force, then something with "Brown" switches might be up your alley. This one in particular has a similar aesthetic, comes with Brown switches as an option, and at a pretty good price.

https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-c2-pro-8k-qmk-via...

Quite likely - the buckling spring switches in Model M are quite stiff as far as keyboards go. Brown switches are a good choice if you want a light switch with some amount of tactility.

What if I take the design, print it, include the thing in a staged photo, and sell prints of the photo?

What if I skip the printing and use the design files as a basis for a rendered photo or animation?

What if I print the design, then use a 3D scanner to recreate a file from the physical artifact?

You're asking some pretty niche copyright questions that even a lawyer would have to spend time searching for case law for. It may be more expedient to look for that case law yourself.

What if I print the design, then use a 3D scanner to recreate a file from the physical artifact?

Hmm, without patents it would definitely be fine to scan an existing one and recreate it. I think this would be fine too, but any time you are clearly going out of your way to skirt the law is a red flag. The thing is, I don't even think technical designs are copyrightable outside of their aesthetic value.

What if I take the design, print it, include the thing in a staged photo, and sell prints of the photo?

What if I skip the printing and use the design files as a basis for a rendered photo or animation?

If it is indeed covered by copyright, then these would likely be violations, though I guess it depends on how prominent it is in the staged photo.

...this stuff is fun to think about.

Not open source or open hardware, which they are pretty clear about.

> This project is source-available. Personal and educational use is allowed, and commercial use is allowed for compatible accessories. You may not copy and sell Keychron keyboards or mice [...].

You're asking some pretty niche copyright questions that even a lawyer would have to spend time searching for case law for. It may be more expedient to look for that case law yourself.

The list of model numbers is clearly stated in the repo README and you’re apparently a subject matter expert on this; so, please look up the answer to your question and let us know.

No it's design files. Like CAD stuff.

It's awesome if you mod your own gear, and 3d printing / one off part services are ubiquitous, so if you see something you like online, it's cheap and easy to do little upgrades.

More companies should do what they do - the less ethical players are already cloning knockoffs anyways, stuff like this builds brand loyalty and probably makes it more likely that people stick with Keychron over going for the knockoffs.

What if I print the design, then use a 3D scanner to recreate a file from the physical artifact?

What if I take the design, print it, include the thing in a staged photo, and sell prints of the photo?

What if I skip the printing and use the design files as a basis for a rendered photo or animation?

If it is indeed covered by copyright, then these would likely be violations, though I guess it depends on how prominent it is in the staged photo.

...this stuff is fun to think about.

https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-c2-pro-8k-qmk-via...

Quite likely - the buckling spring switches in Model M are quite stiff as far as keyboards go. Brown switches are a good choice if you want a light switch with some amount of tactility.

The list of model numbers is clearly stated in the repo README and you’re apparently a subject matter expert on this; so, please look up the answer to your question and let us know.

It's awesome if you mod your own gear, and 3d printing / one off part services are ubiquitous, so if you see something you like online, it's cheap and easy to do little upgrades.

No it's design files. Like CAD stuff.

Pretty sure @jhogendorn was being tongue-in-cheek to call out (semi-related) questionable behavior from Keychron.

I know, but given the subject of the OP it was an irrelevant garbage comment from a jilted user trying to smear the company. It deserves an equally obtuse response.

Keychron Hardware Design

Production-grade hardware design files for Keychron keyboards and mice.

Study real CAD. Remix plates and cases. Design compatible accessories. Learn from how real products are built.

This project is source-available. Personal and educational use is allowed, and commercial use is allowed for compatible accessories. You may not copy and sell Keychron keyboards or mice, and you may not use Keychron trademarks as your own branding.

Keychron hardware design hero

Latest Updates

2026-04-10: Added more K0 Max files, Q12 HE and more Q6 Max files and more keycap profiles.
2026-04-09: Added K10 HE, Q6 Max and K0 Max design files. Update: make the accessories not subject to licensing.
2026-04: Added Q HE and mouse design files.
2026-03: Expanded K Max coverage.
More milestone updates will be published in GitHub Releases.

Start Here

If you're new, begin with one of these paths:

Browse keyboard files
Explore C Pro, Q, Q Pro, Q HE, Q Max, Q Ultra 8K, K Pro, K Max, K HE, V Max, and P HE models.
Browse mouse files
Explore shell and full-model files for M and G series mice.
Open the files in CAD software
Read the File Format Guide for STEP, DWG, DXF, and PDF compatibility.
Learn how to remix or modify a design
Start with the Getting Started Guide.
See the current filesystem inventory
Open the Repository Inventory generated from the repo itself.
Contribute fixes or improvements
Read Contributing for workflow, file standards, and submission rules.
Join the community
Join the Keychron Discord to share builds, ask questions, and help grow the hardware modding community.
Understand the license before building
Read the License FAQ.

What You Can Do With This Repository

Study real industrial design and hardware packaging files
Create case, plate, and accessory remixes
Inspect dimensions, structure, and component integration
Build community mods and compatible add-ons
Contribute documentation, corrections, and new variants that fit the license

What's Inside

Series	Type	Models	Components
C Pro Series	Keyboard	C3 Pro	Plate, Full Model
Q Series	Keyboard	Q0 Plus, Q1–Q12, Q60, Q65	Case, Plate, Encoder, Full Model, Stabilizer, OSA Keycap
Q Pro Series	Keyboard	Q1 Pro–Q14 Pro (10 models)	Case, Plate, Encoder, Full Model, Stabilizer, KSA Keycap
Q HE Series	Hall Effect	Q1 HE, Q3 HE, Q5 HE, Q6 HE, Q12 HE	Plate, Full Model, selected case parts
Q Max Series	Keyboard	Q6 Max	Case, Plate, Full Model, Stabilizer
Q Ultra 8K Series	Keyboard	Q6 Ultra 8K	Plate
K Pro Series	Keyboard	K1 Pro–K17 Pro (16 models)	Case, Plate, Full Model, Stabilizer
K Max Series	Keyboard	K0 Max, K1 Max–K17 Max (12 models)	Case, Plate, Full Model, Stabilizer, Keycap on selected models
K HE Series	Hall Effect	K2 HE–K10 HE	Case, Plate, Full Model, Stabilizer, Keycap (K2 HE; other models pending)
L Series	Keyboard	L1, L3	Case, Plate, Knob, Full Model, Stabilizer
V Max Series	Keyboard	V1 Max–V10 Max	Case, Plate, Encoder, Full Model, Stabilizer, OSA Keycap
P HE Series	Hall Effect	P1 HE	Case, Plate, Full Model, Stabilizer, Keycap
Mouse Series	Mouse	M1–M7, G1, G2 (11 models)	Shell, Full Model

88 device models. 686+ design files. Source-available. Accessory-friendly. Keychron keyboards structure design

Directory Structure

C-Pro-Series/
  C3 Pro/               — Plate and full-model files for the C3 Pro
Q-Series/
  Q0 Plus/              — Numpad files alongside Q1–Q12, Q60, and Q65
Q-HE-Series/
  Q12 HE/               — Hall Effect files alongside Q1 HE, Q3 HE, Q5 HE, and Q6 HE
Q-Pro-Series/
  Q1 Pro/               — Wireless Q-series hardware files across 10 models
Q-Max-Series/
  Q6 Max/               — Wireless Q-series case, plate, full model, and stabilizer files
Q-Ultra-8K-Series/
  Q6 Ultra 8K/          — Ultra 8K plate files
K-Pro-Series/
  K1 Pro/               — Low-profile and standard K Pro models through K17 Pro
  K8 Pro/               — Example model folder with `K8-Pro-Keycap.stp`
K-Max-Series/
  K0 Max/               — Numpad files alongside K1 Max–K17 Max keyboard models
K-HE-Series/
  K2 HE/                — Example model folder with Cherry and OSA keycap STEP files
V-Max-Series/
  V1 Max/               — Tri-mode keyboard hardware files across V1–V10 Max
P-HE-Series/
  P1 HE/                — Lemokey Hall Effect keyboard files
L-Series/
  L1/                   — Aluminum keyboard files with plate, case, knob, and stabilizers
Mice/
  M1/                   — Shell and full model
Keycap Profiles/
  Cherry Profile/       — Reference profile docs alongside KSA, LSA, MDA, OEM, and OSA
docs/
  file-format-guide.md  — How to open and edit these files
  getting-started.md    — First-stop guide for browsing and remixing
  3d-printing-guide.md  — Practical printing guidance for compatible parts
scripts/
  repo_inventory.py     — Regenerates the repository inventory from the live tree

Why This Matters

Making production hardware files available is a meaningful contribution to the broader hardware and keyboard community.

It lowers the barrier to entry by giving hobbyists, students, and engineers real STEP and DXF files they can study, remix, and build from instead of starting from zero.
It expands what customization can mean. With access to case, plate, and component designs, the community can explore deeper hardware changes, new materials, structural tweaks, and original variations.
It offers real educational value. These are production-level designs, so people can learn from actual decisions around mounting systems, tolerances, and component integration.
It helps the ecosystem grow by enabling compatible accessories, modifications, and personal projects that build around existing designs.
It also reflects trust and transparency. Sharing internal design files signals confidence in the products and supports users as creators, not just customers.

The license is designed to support the ecosystem around Keychron products while still protecting Keychron's core hardware business. In practice, that means compatible accessories and add-ons can grow around the platform, but copying and selling Keychron keyboards or mice, or trading on Keychron trademarks, is not allowed.

Contributing

Ways to contribute:

Fix dimensional errors or tolerances in existing models
Add ISO layout plate variants
Improve documentation and guides
Report issues with downloaded files

Note: This project is source-available with limited commercial use for compatible accessories. By contributing, you agree your work falls under the same license.

License

This project is source-available. The files may be used for personal and educational work, and for commercial compatible accessories as described in the license.

You may not use these files to copy, manufacture, sell, or distribute Keychron keyboards or mice, or substantially similar products, and you may not use Keychron trademarks as your own branding. Commercial accessory use is allowed within the limits of the license.

See the LICENSE file for full terms.

Links

Built by Keychron — source-available hardware design files for the community.

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